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What’s The Best Time Of Day To Photograph Your Kids?

With all of the advancements made in smartphone cameras, you don't have to be a professional photographer to get some great shots of your kids! While we do recommend leaving the big photo shoots to the professionals, there's no reason you can't capture some wonderful memories working with what you've got on-hand. A big part of taking great pictures of your kids is knowing the best time of day to take photos.

The Key Is Natural Light!

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The best time to take photos is before or after the golden hour. That's the time of day when the sun is low in the sky. It happens in the couple of hours after sunrise, and the couple of hours before sunset. The sun's position in the sky means shadows are softer, and angles are more flattering. To make the most of that amazing natural light, it's best to shoot after the morning golden hour, and before the evening golden hour.

Why Not Shoot In The Golden Hour?

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That's a good question! The light during the golden hour is gorgeous, but it can be tricky to time your pictures right. The golden hour itself is typically pretty short, and the light will change very quickly. In addition, it can be very early or very late, depending on where you live. By focusing your efforts in the time before or after the golden hour, you're giving yourself the best shot at the best shot. The light will be warm and not distracting, you can work around shadows, and your kids won't have sun in their eyes!

Try Cloudy Weather

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If you can't manage to shoot during those windows of time, there are other great options for getting some memorable shots of your little ones. Cloudy weather is a great time to shoot, and you're not limited to the time of day if the sun isn't out. Shooting in the city at night is another great option. You won't have to use flash if you have other light sources.

If the only time you have to get some pictures is when the sun is high in the sky, consider moving indoors and shooting next to a big window! Window light is usually soft and even, and you get brightness without harsh glare or shadows.